Utley to return to Phillies this week after Triple-A rehab start

PHILADELPHIA -- Sunday morning, his locker stall was mostly empty. In between games of the split-admission doubleheader, it was full and a bag of baseball bats rested next to his chair.

Chase Utley was at Citizens Bank Park Sunday afternoon. According to a CSNPhilly.com report, he'll be back for good and activated off the disabled list Wednesday.

The only official word from the Phillies Sunday was this: Utley will continue his official rehab assignment when he plays for Triple-A Lehigh Valley Tuesday night.

Utley played nine innings at Class A Clearwater before coming north Sunday.

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Before the Threshers left for a 4½-hour bus trip across the state to Palm Beach, Fla., Utley played eight innings at second base Saturday night. It marked his second straight game at second; he played nine innings Friday night.

The ability to play in the field was Utley's biggest hindrance from returning from chondromalacia in his left knee. Utley has missed the first 10 weeks of the season and, while he hit regularly, had eased himself into taking regular infield work during his rehab.

Utley's 20-day minor league rehab assignment would expire July 1, but it appears he will be activated before that time arrives.

"Chase is close," manager Charlie Manuel said. "Hopefully some time this week we'll have some good news."